Business View Caribbean | Volume 8, Issue 8

16 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 8 G UP This partnership with Planeterra is a further step in our regional tourism development strategy to support entrepreneurship and community development, and is timely in this current environment where we are restarting tourism dollars in the hands of local people, but they lack the support and training needed to develop product offerings, capture the travel market and draw enough customers. To address this, Planeterra launched the Global Community Tourism Network, which seeks to change the face of travel by putting communities at the centre of tourism’s efforts, and to connect them to travel businesses that can help them to build back better after the pandemic. This Network comprises more than 270 community tourism enterprises in 70 countries, all gaining training, mentorship and connection through Planeterra’s online resources and team, as well as market access. “Planeterra is eager to partner with CTO to help communities gain access to the resources, community, and mentorship our organisation provides,” said Planeterra President Jamie Sweeting. “We are hopeful that this partnership will lead to an increase in support for community tourism in the Caribbean, and will increase the social, economic and environmental benefits that host communities see from the tourism industry.” For more information on the Global Community Tourism Network, please visit communitytourism. org. *Planeterra is the world’s leading non- governmental organization turning travel into impact in communities. Planeterra helps local organizations and communities use tourism as a catalyst to improve people’s lives, protect their natural environments, and celebrate their culture. Put simply, it is a better kind of tourism – improving the lives of community members as they provide travellers with better experiences. Planeterra is more than just an agent of change and driver of communal well-being, they are tested and trusted builders of self-esteem and pride. Pride that we can all share as well as take pleasure in – from uplifting communities through tourism.